Planning approved for Bremont to build state-of-the-art atelier in Henley-on-Thames

A planning application for Bremont to build a brand new headquarters in Henley-on-Thames has been approved by South Oxfordshire Council.

The approval clears the way for the facility to open in 2019, Bremont co-founder Giles English revealed to WatchPro today.

Bremont currently has two facilities. Its existing headquarters in Henley houses the company’s administration offices and a factory for final assembly of its watches. A plant in Silverstone makes cases, base plates and other components that go into its finished movements.

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The company’s ultimate aim is to fully manufacture its own movements, and Mr English hopes this will be achieved around the same time as the ribbon is cut to open the new Henley site.

The planning application describes how two buildings totaling floor space of approximately 1800 square meters will be linked together, providing separate areas for administration and watch assembly.

The buildings are of a bespoke design with low slung curved and living grassed green roofs.

As well as meeting the highest environmental standards, the buildings will need to be minutely controlled to avoid contaminants reaching the precision watchmaking equipment.

News of the new headquarters was revealed at Bremont’s London exhibition of its 2017 collections, which is being attended by dozens of the brand’s retail partners this week.

The event is being held in central London townhouse, but Nick English, co-founder of Bremont, hinted that the showcase might move to the new headquarters after 2019.